Antibody that binds to cluster w-4 polypeptide of human small cell lung carcinoma cells

Abstract

PCT No. PCT/GB95/01795 Sec. 371 Date Feb. 3, 1997 Sec. 102(e) Date Feb. 3, 1997 PCT Filed Jul. 31, 1995 PCT Pub. No. WO96/04312 PCT Pub. Date Feb. 15, 1996Binding agents, such as antibodies, are described which selectively bind to the cluster-w4 polypeptide of human small cell lung carcinoma cells at a site located at and around valine-57 of the cluster-w4 polypeptide. The binding agents, either alone or linked to a reporter or effector molecule are of use in the diagnosis or treatment of human small cell lung carcinoma. Also described are peptides (A)m-(T)n-(T)o-(K)p-V-(A)q-(G)r-(G)s-(A)t-(L)u having at least one of the core structures K-V-A, T-K-V, or V-A-G for use in the identification and/or preparation of binding agents according to the invention, as diagnostic reagents, or as immunostimulants.

I claim: 
     
       1. An antibody which binds to an epitope of the cluster-w4 polypeptide of a human small cell lung carcinoma cell, wherein said epitope includes amino acid residue valine-57. 
     
     
       2. An antibody according to claim 1 which has a binding affinity at a binding site which includes valine-57 of the cluster-w4 polypeptide in the range of 10 -8  -10 -12  M and a binding affinity of 10 -7  M or higher for other locations in the cluster-w4 polypeptide or the CD24 antigen of normal human B cells. 
     
     
       3. A pharmaceutical composition comprising an antibody according to claim 1, together with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable diluents, carriers or excipients. 
     
     
       4. An antibody according to claim 1, wherein said epitope includes one or more of the amino acid sequences T-K-V 57 , K-V 57  -A or V 57  -A-G. 
     
     
       5. An antibody according to claim 1 or claim 4, linked to an effector or reporter molecule.